1990 Buick Reatta Convertible 2-door 3.8l on 2040-cars

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Buick Electra SUV spy photos show it out testing on public roads

We know the electric Buicks are on their way, but the details about models and specifics are still being left unsaid from GM’s premium brand. Today, some new spy shots give a hint at whatÂ’s to come. For the time being, weÂ’re not sure what to call this SUV beyond a Buick Electra SUV model. Buick has trademarked the E1 to E9 names in what is surely preparation for incoming EVs, but itÂ’s difficult to know which one this particular electric Buick might be. Size-wise, it looks closest to the Chevrolet Equinox EV, but take that with a grain of salt. These spy shots donÂ’t provide a point of reference versus other cars, so deciding whether itÂ’s closer to an Equinox EV or Blazer EV in footprint is a difficult exercise. As for its Buick-ness, the most intriguing detail in these shots is the tri-bar third brake light that mimics the brandÂ’s new logo. ItÂ’s a seriously cool touch, and we can only hope this attention to detail is found throughout the car. Both the front and rear lights are made up of thin LEDs. The front DRLs have a small kink in them that turns downward as they arc toward the fender, and the rear brake lights look to be two thin horizontal lines one on top of the other. Michelin e-Primacy tires wrap 20-inch wheels, which is in keeping with ChevyÂ’s large wheel size offerings on its Ultium-based SUVs. The camouflage does good work of concealing the carÂ’s styling and any other details that we might want to make out beyond what weÂ’ve covered so far.  WeÂ’ll hopefully see a reveal for an electric Buick SUV in the next year or so, especially now that the base Chevy versions of a compact and midsize electric SUV are out and revealed. Once it is revealed, donÂ’t expect an Electra (of some sort) to go on sale until 2024. Related video:

Is Buick America's most daring mainstream car brand?

Considering Buick as an adventurous automaker seems a little odd at first thought. But with little fanfare over the last several years, the marque is transforming itself from a brand often associated with elderly drivers to a nameplate willing to take chances in niche segments. The gamble is already paying off with 2014 sales up 11.4 percent in the US to 228,963 cars. Given recent product launches, this experimentation is only likely to continue. The key to the transformation at Buick is its willingness to explore the so-called white space, according to Automotive News; the term refers to niches in the market without rivals as a challenge. In addition, the brand's position in the near-luxury space means that its products are cross-shopped by a large swath of customers. Without having a specific competitor, Buick has more room to experiment within its segment. "Designers love designing Buicks because it's not a paint-by-numbers brand," said Andrew Smith, director of design at Buick and Cadillac, to Automotive News. The company's strategy of going where others haven't is best exemplified by the Encore. The subcompact, luxury crossover came to market early, and Buick found serious success with it. The tiny CUV was the automaker's fastest growing model last year with a 53 percent gain and 48,892 units sold. With the test a triumph, the Encore recently got a sibling in the US in the form of the Chevrolet Trax. The upcoming Cascada is taking a similar approach. The non-sporty convertible segment is practically empty in the US, and this slightly redesigned product from Opel has the opportunity to become a leader in its niche. Of course, Buick's biggest recent surprise was the Avenir concept at the 2015 Detroit Auto Show. The car's swooping shape and use of materials earned it two EyesOn Design Awards against some tough competition. While the company's intentions for this flagship sedan aren't entirely clear yet, the vehicle does "test some of the future design language that will come on the next generation of Buicks," according to brand boss Duncan Aldred to Automotive News, which is definitely something to look forward to. Featured Gallery Buick Avenir Concept: Detroit 2015 View 12 Photos Related Gallery Buick Avenir Concept View 23 Photos News Source: Automotive News - sub. req.Image Credit: Live photos copyright 2015 Drew Phillips / AOL Design/Style Buick Convertible Crossover Luxury buick encore buick cascada buick avenir

Buick Envision aces IIHS crash tests

If you had any qualms about the safety of a Chinese-built car, set them aside. At least when it comes to the Buick Envision. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) has tested the new GM crossover and it passed with flying colors. The Envision is the first Chinese-built Buick sold in the States, and it's also the first Chinese-built car the organization has ever tested. In what is an impressive feat for any new automobile, it earned the IIHS TOP SAFETY PICK+ rating. This means the crossover comes equipped with a forward collision warning system and earned "Good" marks in all types of collisions, including the difficult small overlap crash test. In addition to the forward collision warning system, an automatic emergency braking system is available on the Envision. Eleven other vehicles earned the TOP SAFETY PICK+ rating, including models from Volvo, Lincoln, Acura, Audi, Mercedes-Benz, Lexus and Infiniti. That's good company, and combined with a pleasant, if not world-beating, driving experience, should make the Envision a car worth consideration. Related Video: